GAME REVIEW - PEPPERED: an existential platformer

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The end of the world is coming, the God of Death is about to break free… and me? I'm stuck in a job interview.

This is Peppered. An existential platformer where your choices matter in an ever changing format. You could be making choices and failing, in a loop like it's groundhog day, or you could be dodging bullets and death traps like it were the next megaman.

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It's a very heavy story oriented experience, filled with tons of humor. It's a mix of satirical commentary and a little slapstick, that got me more than a few times, and it hits more than it misses. The story alone is enough to have a good time with, but it's the gameplay that makes this a great time.

This isn't just platforming though. just when you've mastered a mechanic, the game introduces a new thing that changes how the rest of the game is played and looked at.

• One level has you diving for shade before you overheat,
• another would have you pushing shopping carts to run away from anthropamorphic bulls chasing you.

You'll meet characters like a fish that's on fire that doesn't have a problem with it, to a cop that follows rules to a T even if it doesn't make sense, and many many more.

You'll go from bland office rooms to bizarre underground arenas. You'll be navigating deadly platforming puzzles to being in absurd conversations like being part of a game show that's also a court.

I was so sucked up by the engaging storytelling and the wacky characters that I swear there were times I forgot it was even a pixelated game.

My biggest and really only critique is wishing there was a seperate dash or dodge button. As it is now you press down which doesn't feel as intuitive when it comes to quick decision making.

It's unpredictable and packed with clever humor and hidden paths to discover. I completed it in about 3 hours, but it's a story that will stick with me in some ways forever.

So If you're looking for one of the most creative and story-driven indie platformers of the year, with humor, variety, and surprises around every corner, then you definitely should check it out.